Ho, ho, how to say Santa Claus in 9 languages

Most of us have wonderful childhood memories of Santa coming to bring us presents at Christmas… oh, those were the days!

Santa Claus is probably one of the most universally recognised figures in the world. The concept actually originated from Saint Nicholas, a patron saint famous for giving generous gifts to the poor. The pronunciation of Saint Nicholas in Dutch is Sinnterklaas which is where the name Santa Claus came from! Bet you never knew that, eh?!

Around the world, there are lots of different names for him, and the idea has been adopted and interpreted in various ways. Here are some I found out about…

1. English: Santa Claus / Father Christmas

In the UK, US and Canada, Santa Claus or Father Christmas is believed to travel around the world on his sleigh, pulled by reindeer. He comes down the chimney the night between the 24th and 25th December leaving presents for children under the Christmas tree! Children often leave Christmas stockings by the fireplace that Santa can fill with small gifts and sweets. Some families will leave a snack for him for his travels. In the UK, it’s common to leave a mince pie (a traditional festive pastry) and a glass of whisky / sherry for Santa, and a carrot for the reindeer!

In the US and Canada, some people call him Kris Kringle, which originates from the German word Christkind (Christ child). Here it’s custom to leave milk and cookies to keep him going. He’s got a lot of presents to deliver, after all!

In France, it is Père Noël who delivers presents either on the eve of 24th December or on the morning of 25th December. In the east of France, he is accompanied by Le Père Fouettard, a man dressed in black who is said to punish the children if they misbehave. Better be good then!

3. Spanish: Papa Noel (lit. Father Christmas)

In Spain, it is common to receive presents on 24th December or 25th December (from Papa Noel) or on 6th January (from the Three Kings). In South America, it’s quite common for a family member to dress up as Papa Noel and give gifts to the children while they try and guess who it is! In countries like Mexico and Venezuela, presents might also be brought by El Niñito Dios (baby Jesus) or Santo Clós (Santa Claus).

4. German: Weihnachtsmann (lit. Christmas man)

In Germany, the festive season starts early with St. Nicholas Day on 6th December. It is thought that St. Nicholas comes in the night between the 5th and 6th and puts presents in the children’s shoes, which are usually polished and placed by their front doors the evening before.

In some parts of Germany, das Christkind (Christ child) is thought to bring children presents on Christmas Eve. Children also write to him asking for presents before Christmas. They even decorate their letters by gluing sugar to the envelope!

In other parts of the country, derWeihnachtsmann (Santa Claus) is the one who brings presents to the children. Traditionally, German people open their presents on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day.

5. Italian: Babbo Natale (lit. Daddy Christmas)

In Italy, Babbo Natale is thought to deliver presents at Christmas. Italian families start collecting presents at the start of December and they are opened either on Christmas Eve or on Christmas morning. It is also believed that the witch La Befana arrives during the night of 5th January bringing smalls gifts, sweets and dried fruits which she leaves in the socks of the good children.

6. Portuguese: Papai Noel (lit. Father Christmas)

In some parts of Brazil children leave a sock near a window. If Papai Noel finds their sock, he’ll exchange it for a present.

In Portugal, Santa Claus is called Pai Natal. He is believed to bring presents to children on Christmas Eve. Presents are left under the christmas tree or in shoes by the fireplace.

In both countries, families will either open presents on the eve of the 24th after Midnight Mass or on Christmas morning.

Presents left under the Christmas tree

7. Russian: Дед Мороз – Ded Moroz (lit. Grandfather Frost)

In Russia, Christmas is actually celebrated on 7th January which is the orthodox Christmas, and therefore goes by a different calendar. However, people do also exchange presents on New Year’s Eve. It is believed that Ded Moroz (the Russian interpretation of Santa) brings presents with the help of his granddaughter, Snegurka. The tradition goes that children make a circle around the Christmas tree and call for Ded Moroz and Snegurka. When they appear, the star and other lights on the Christmas tree light up.

Ded Moroz and Snegurka

8. Turkish: Noel Baba (lit. Father Christmas)

Christmas isn’t widely celebrated in Turkey but some families celebrate popular Christmas traditions on New Year’s Eve. They might have a ‘New Year’s Eve tree’ and give gifts.

9. Polish: Święty Mikołaj (lit. Saint Nicholas)

In Poland, it is generally believed that Święty Mikołaj brings presents which are opened after the Christmas Eve supper is finished. Sometimes the adults tease the children by dragging out the meal so they have to wait longer for the presents!

In some parts of Poland, there are different traditions. In the east, presents are given by Dziadek Mróz (the same as Ded Moroz in Russia) and in western and northern Poland people believe that Gwiazdor (the starman) brings them.

So there you have it – 9 different ways to say Santa Claus and a bunch of traditions and interpretations of him! Now you can get involved with the Christmas spirit wherever you are in the world! Anyway, I’ll leave you to get on with your last minute Christmas shopping now (unless of course you’re counting on Santa to do it all for you)!

Merry Christmas from the busuu team!

Emma is one of the French Language Experts at busuu. Originally from London, U.K, Emma moved to Brighton to study Anthropology and Languages (French and Spanish) and later spent time living on the French overseas department, La Réunion. In her spare time she loves travel and culture, crochet, cooking and singing!

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